LEBANON VALLEY BICYCLE COALITION is a 501c-3 organization founded in 2008 to make the Lebanon Valley region of Pennsylvania, a better, safer place to bicycle. We work with elected officials and municipal, county and state governments to make certain that new road projects or redesigns consider the needs of bicyclists. We want cyclists to have the necessary skills to be able to bicycle for their transportation, recreation and health. We offer bike rides because we enjoy cycling together. Volunteering will give us more momentum!

Join LVBC as we strive for a safer, more convenient, and less stressed bicycle transportation network in the Lebanon Valley and region. You are joining an advocacy community who cares about bicyclists of all ages, skills and incomes. The 2018 membership dues is any contribution that you are willing to provide. You can join by PayPal which allows for use of a credit card or you can pay by check. Go to "Contribute" at the Menu Bar to access the form or pay on line through PayPal. Your contribution is tax deductible.

Through Bike Lanes and BMUFL Installed in Jackson Township

The intersection of Ramona Road and SR 422 has been very risky for the Amish and bicyclists. The traffic control signal did not recognize either mode. An Amish man was killed several years ago because he "went on red". There are new traffic signals that should recognize non-motorized traffic and right turn lanes were added. PennDOT 8-0 had the intersection reconstructed with Through Bike Lanes on SR 422 and the accompanying Bikes May Use Full Lane signage. We welcome PennDOT's providing for the safety of bicyclists at newly reconstructed intersections with right turn lanes.

SLMs & BMUFL Signs Installed on SR 422

After 9 years of advocating, Bikes May Use Full Lane signs and Shared Lane Markings (SLMs) are now installed in Annville, Cleona, North Annville Township and South Annville Township. We are very thankful that the leaders of these municipalities supported our persevering efforts and have agreed to maintain the road markings. When we failed to get the support of LEBCO MPO, the LVBC Board chose to spend funds to contract with McCormick Taylor, Inc. to provide professional recommendations. If we lost this opportunity, nothing would get done for years. McCormick Taylor had to hasten in January to be able to provide their findings to Penn DOT in a few weeks. The PennDOT Project Manager was very helpful in making it possible to incorporate the traffic engineers’ recommendations at the last stages of planning the resurfacing project. Please thank Cleona’s Borough Council Members, Annville Township’s Commissioners and South and North Annville Township's Supervisors.

SR 343 Is Safer for Bicyclists

Several years ago SR 343 was resurfaced and most of the project provided very adequate shoulders to the right of the installed rumble strips. There was, however, a short section where motorists travel very fast that was done without providing adequate shoulder width. This was very risky for bicycling. It has required several years and support from Penn DOT to fill these rumbles. Together, we learned what material would work best. LVBC partnered with Lebanon County Penn DOT Maintenance staff and crew to undertake a fix. We appreciate the time and logistics involved in doing this project to make it safer for bicyclists.

2017 Earn A Bike Program Update

Have an idea on how to reduce landfill waste, help people in need of basic transportation and give some retired men a morning of tinkering with bikes? The answer is LVBC's Earn a Bike program that has helped 61 guys (yes, it's only been guys so far though we've had 2 women sign up but not show up) earn their bicycles since the inception of the program in 2015. Every 4th Saturday morning from March through November, we gather at the warehouse to "build bikes from dust" alongside guys with an interest in biking who often need a way to get to work. With a generous donation of warehouse space by E&E Metal Fab, support from the nearby bicycling community (Common Wheel in Lancaster and Recycle Bicycle in Harrisburg), the commitment of our community partners (e.g., Rescue Mission) and the efforts of a small but dedicated group of volunteers, the Earn a Bike program continues to thrive.

This past year, the Lebanon VA Medical Center joined the Rescue Mission and Jubilee as referring partners, typically referring Veterans from their vocational rehab program. Our source of donated bicycles from Common Wheel has declined thus we're reaching out to others for repairable bikes (call Scott at 717-273-1571 if you have a bike to donate). Skilled and unskilled volunteers are always welcome as building relationships with our bike recipients is often as important as knowing how to fix a bike. Many thanks to all who make this program possible.

SLMs and BMUFL arrive in Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown Borough is diligently working to have a bicycle friendly community. Shared lane markings (sharrows) have been installed on Market Street which is SR 230 by Penn DOT 8-0. Bikes May Use Full Lane signage is also posted. Penn DOT paid for the cost of installation of the SLMs and the Borough will maintain them when they wear out.

Invisible Bicyclists - Bringing Them into the Light

There are hundreds of bicyclists in our region who bike because they have no other choice for their means of transportation. Unfortunately, they are not involved in advocating for better, safer bicycling. What roads are most important for their use and do they have concerns when riding on these roads? What are their destinations? Do they combine bike and bus? We need to bring them into the light. For information on the plight of invisible bicyclists read https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2017/5/1/invisible-bike-riders

We also recognize the need to educate them on biking legally and safely. Sometimes there is a language barrier. Many employees of Always Bagels, Inc. located in Lebanon Rails Business Park, are bicyclists and understand only Spanish. How can we overcome the language barrier in order to learn about their biking issues and provide education? Some ongoing efforts are LVBC's Earn a Bike. Clients receive some essential educating such as riding on the right side of the road. Can we engage them further? Love Inc. Bicycle Ministry in Derry Township is reaching out to provide more bicycles for transportation for those who can't afford bikes. Can we use this opportunity to learn about where they bike and the roads that they use? Recycle Bikes in Harrisburg creates multiple connections for many to earn bikes and be educated. In June and July, Recycle Bikes will fix bikes in Lebanon City's north side and engage youth and adults in biking safely. These are all activities that can make the invisible very VISIBLE. Do you know Spanish and can serve as an interpreter? Will you help to strategize on how to learn from these very important bicyclists? If yes, contactThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LVBC Members Bike Audit and Make Recommendations for SR 322 through Campbelltown

Next year, Penn DOT will resurface SR 322 through Campbelltown. Fred Richter and Pat Krebs biked the road section and identified safety concerns. The next step was to develop recommendations to become part of the project and provide them to both South Londonderry Township and Penn DOT. It is of critical importance that the Township staff and Supervisors be supportive or there will be no improvements. If you are familiar with SR 322 and the major intersections in Campbelltown, please read the recommendations and contact Pat to offer your experiences and observations. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UPDATE: Dauphin Narrows and Banning Bicyclists - PennDOT Has All the Power

On September 14th, Judge Salapa held the Further Prehearing Conference which had been continued for a year to allow PennDOT and the parties to address the issues of concern. Click here to read the update.

LVBC Provides Education at Lebanon City PD's Night Out

For many years LVBC has been providing bicycle safety to youngsters and their parents at the City Police Department's Night Out. Ron Birch and Dean Auchenbach have been constant volunteers for the event. Taking a closer look at the photo, we are also reminded that member Barry Yiengst built the 2 bicycle wheels for the safety game. Ruth Barley took responsibility for designing and having the LVBC banner made. Financial contributions have allowed us to buy prizes and the display board. LVBC has been built on so many individual contributions.

Relying on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for Advice

During our many years of advocating for safer bicycling conditions on the roads in our area, LVBC has faced many “roadblocks” . One of these that has been especially difficult is persuading Lebanon County Metropolitan Planning Organization (LEBCOMPO) that they have a responsibility for the safety of bicyclists who use roads. Because they rejected funding for a county bike/ped plan, we have to continue scrambling to identify possible opportunities for improving roads to make them safer for cyclists. This year, a segment of SR 501 was resurfaced. This is an important road for bicyclists and especially important for the Amish population. The resurfacing was done but neither Penn DOT nor LEBCO MPO saw value in expanding the shoulder widths where possible within Penn DOT’s right of way. Our many years of advocating for SR 501 failed.

In 2010, the intersection of SR 322 and Forge Road was reconstructed to make turning lanes. The end result was the loss of shoulders for bicyclists and pedestrians to use, and bicyclists who are going west risk being struck by motorists who are turning right. This experience taught us that until Penn DOT included bicyclists and pedestrians’ needs in their planning, we bicyclists had to become more knowledgeable and involved. Very quickly, we were participating with Steckbeck Engineering and ELA Group to include bicycling and pedestrian facilities at the reconstructed intersection of SR 72 and SR 419 (Quentin). Their cooperation was excellent and refreshing; and now, six years later, through bike lanes are installed not only on SR 72, but at the right turn into Eagle Rental. The Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP) requirement did not allow for improving the segment of SR 419 in Quentin village. Six years ago, there was not the amazing amount of information available on bike facilities that there is today. We were dependent on the draft AASHTO bike facilities guidebook. To get an example of today’s resources visit http://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/intersection-treatments/through-bike-lanes/. PennDOT is also undergoing a transformation to be supportive of all users of their roadways. An example of this is that the reconstruction of the intersection of SR 422 and Killinger Road now has through bike lanes. LVBC did not have to make the case for these bike facilities. PennDOT District 8 had recognized that bicyclist facilities were needed. In March, 2016, District 8 staff met with LVBC members to discuss the 2017-2018 resurfacing project for this section of SR 422.

Bicycle Auditing SR 422 in Derry Township

In 2018, PennDOT will resurface SR 422 between Orchard Avenue and Lingle Avenue. Pat Krebs, representing LVBC, met with Derry Township officials including Supervisors John Foley and Justin Engle and Economic Development staff, Chuck Emerick and Lauren Zumbrun. PennDOT Bike Ped Coordinator Roy Gothie also attended to ask them to consider an on road, SR 322, demonstration project with bike lanes. The meeting was very positive. Next, a bicycling audit was needed beyond what LVBC had done several years ago. LVBC members Mike Sheehan, Fred Richter and Pat Krebs volunteered to audit and develop their findings for the Township and PennDOT 8-0. Discussion about what is possible to improve the safety of bicyclists within the limits of both the PennDOT and the Hershey Downtown projects will be forthcoming.

SR 322 Roundabouts – Two Years of Advocating

When LVBC learned by chance in early 2015 that the roundabouts planned for SR 322 would have no facilities for bicyclists or pedestrians to travel through, we acted. SR 322 is a significant corridor for bicyclists, and pedestrians have always used the shoulders. We researched how roundabouts should be designed and constructed for all users. Chris Shelly presented at the public meeting and at a Derry Township Supervisors meeting. PennDOT District 8 enabled a meeting of Derry Township, MHS, the engineering firm (Pennoni) and Chris so that he could present the needs of bicyclists/pedestrians. The bicycle transportation maps that identify the 322 corridor as a bike route proved to be very important. During construction, we worried about the ramp angles for those who will not use the roundabouts. A Pennoni representative met with us to review our concerns. . Some ramp angles were adjusted. Many signs about bicycling have been installed and they are too close together and distracting for motorists. Penn DOT plans to remove some. We are asking that BMUFL be the signs that stay posted. LVBC’s 2 goals have been that these roundabouts accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians effectively, and that these roundabouts be models for many others that will be constructed in the future. An LVBC member who travels to and from work reports the following: “The paths are sometimes used by cyclists who are not sure how to get through the roundabouts, but I just use them (roundabouts) as if I were driving a car and have had no problems on my bike. Most of the time they (roundabouts) are faster and safer as they really slow down traffic. At any real speed the alternate ramps are difficult, but for people just riding around town they do seem to work. I have seen people on them. I do worry about any intersection but these seem to be as good as could be done at this time.” If any of you want a practice ride through the roundabouts, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is important that bicyclists take the lane prior to entering the roundabouts.

OBTAINING A COPY OF THE LEBANON COUNTY SCENIC BICYCLE RIDES MAP

The Lebanon County scenic bike ride map depicts the 10 scenic bike rides described in detail on the LVBC website. The Map allows cyclists to connect scenic loops to have more miles or shorten the ride to the return. It is 24 inches by 18 inches on glossy paper. Cyclists can choose to start anywhere on the loops. By showing all 10 rides, visitors can decide which lodging works best for them. You can receive a map from LVBC by paying $5 for Postage & Handling online by clicking here.